Re registering a UK motorcycle in Spain. I hear its expensive and tricky. I would appreciate some expertise!?
Answers:
I DO BELIEVE YOU DON'T NEED TO ASK LONG AS ITS REGISTERED IN ENGLAND ITS IN THE EU SO YOU DON'T NEED TO RE REGISTER
It is not legally necessary to reregister your vehicle in a foreign country, but does have its advantages:
Reregistering in Spain - I don't know what the specifics are for a bike, but for cars you need to pay 500E - this includes the new plates, adjustment of headlamps as well as the actualy registration of the vehicle in the country. You also need to take it to a garage and ensure it passes the equivalent of the MOT.
If you decide not to reregister it, there is no problem AS LONG AS you insure it with either a Spanish insurance company, or with a British insurance company which has an office in Spain. This is a new law courtesy of the beloved EU which not even most insurance companies are aware of! This only applies if the vehicle is out of the country for six months or more.
Try a search on the Internet as there are many companies which will help with the reregistering of the car, many even do it for you. Pay special attention to "ex-pat" pages. full of useful info.
As I say, these are the rules for a car, I assume bikes would be very similar. Hope it helps!
Despite what others have told you here, IF you are resident in Spain (and that means basically that you have been there/here for 183 days or more, nothing to do with if you have a "Residencia" or not!) you must register the vehicle in Spain. The easiest way is to look for a local "gestor" who specialises in this sort of changeover - often there are ads in the free english language papers if you are in Andalucia/Costa del Sol. The ones that advertise in the english press obviously want to deal with Brits, and will speak enough English. The Guardia Civil are getting hotter on non-spanish registered vehicles, so beware! There are other regulations to watch out for such as always carrying authorised copies of vehicle paperwork such as registration and insurance, and even the need to have a spare pair of glasses at all times if you need specs to drive! There is a book on motoring in spain by Brian Deller that covers just about everything, for about 20 Euros.
See http://www.spainvia.com/
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